High-tension switch



Nov. 3 1925.

1,560,165 T. F. JOHNSON, .JR

HIGH TENS ION SWITCH Filed Nov. 17, 1925 g? 71 fm EY ATTORNEY ssheets-sheet 1 AT1-omen! 1,560,165 T. Ff JoHNsoN, JR

HiGH TENSION SWITCH 'Filed Nov. '17, 1925 3 sheets-sheet 2 N ov. v31925.

Nov. 3J 1925. 1,560,165

T. F. JOHNSON, JR

HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed Nov. 17, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 j/g 9 r9 a .as

I iv: I l l i l 49 I f/ f2.9 i ,zr ,za 12J ,e5 12W i j Il 35 3 Z 3 3J 374f 6 l INVEN'roR) wl'rNzsnls a Patented `Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED -sTATEs TOILINSON FORT JOHNSON, JR., OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

HIGH-TENSION swITcH.

Application led November 17, 1923. Serial No. 675,367.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ToMLINsoN F. JOHN- soN, Jr., a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State ofGeorgia, have invented a new and useful High-Tension Switch, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved switch, which is particularlyadapted to high tension transmission lines.

In switches used in modern electric tra-nsmission lines, where it is notunusual to carry a voltage as high as 220,000, it is of a specialimportance to Secure an accurate t and firm contact between the switchblade and the jaws throughout their meeting surfaces. Attemptsheretofore made to accomplish this result have depended upon the use ofspring pressed jaws, which are spread by the blade upon entering betweenthe same. With this construction, the jaws grab the blade as it entersbetween them, andthe blade must be forced down to the bottom of thecontact against the friction thus created. The jaws thus constructed arenot self-alining, can not be ground to an accurate lit, and are easilybent by the blade in closing the switch should the blade not meet thejaws accurately. On overloads the jaws 'become overheated andconsequently annealed, and since they depend upon the spring action ofthe metal composing the jaws for their contact, this overheating resultsin af loss of resiliency, the current carrying capacity is diminished,and the switches burn up. Then too, if the jaws are held against theswitch with suicient pressure to insure the proper contact under theseconditions, it is impossible to open the switch.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a switch whichwill have none of the above objectionable features, a switch which isabsolutely self-alining, and which may be ground in emery and 011 to aperfect lit, a switch which may be easily opened and closed, but whichwhen closed establishes a firm contact of great pressure,

,so that an enormous load my pass therethrough without excessive heat.Moreover, the switch is so constructed that if it did heat, no injuriouseffect would result.

With the .above and other objects in view the invention comprises a pairof jaws having a slight oscillatory movement tangential to the directionof movement of the switch blade, being carried 'by pressure memberswhich swing downwardly with the jaws as the switch blade is closed, witha toggle action, which causes the jaws to suddenly grab the blade withtremendous pressure at the end of its downward movement.

-The construction of the invention and the tion shown in connection witha transmis.

sion line.

Figure 2 is a plan yview thereof.

Figure 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showingthe jaws and the relative position of the same to the switch v bladewhen closed.

Figure Llis a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showingthe mounting of the switch blade.

Figure 5 is a'vertical section with 'parts in elevation, the jaws beingshown as held open to receive the switch blade. j

The invention is shown in connection with an electric transmissionsystem, which includes a bar 5 support-ing the spaced insulators 6 and7, on which are secured the bronze brackets or supports 8 and 9,respectively. Each of these brackets or supports consists of a pair ofcomplementary sections connected by a bolt 11 and having semicircularclamping members 10, which embrace the upper end of the insulator. Asuitable lug 12 is secured to each bracket by a set screw 13 or thelike, and receives a conductor 14, which is connected to the incoming oroutgoing line as the case may be. The bracket 9 is formed with'upstanding spaced ears 15, which support a pivot bolt 16 on which ispivoted the switch blade 17, which is electrically connected to thebracket- 9 and conductor 14 through the medium of flexible conductors18. The switch blade 17 when closed, as shown in full lines in Fi re 1,forms a contact with the jaws 19, w ich are specially constructed inaccordance with my invention, as vwill be hereinafter more fullydescribed. The switch blade 17 is preferably ovided with an upstandingarm 20, and boiih the blade and the arm are provided with a curved lugor hook 21 for engagement by a suitable implement in opening or iloclosing the blade. The rear end of the blade is provided with a heel 22,which engages against the outer side ofthe bracket 9 `to support theblade when in open position.

'screws may be secured in its adjusted position by a lock'nut 25a.Bearing against the inner end of each screw 25 is aihead 26 having aconical seat 26, which is adapted to receive the end of a pressuremember 27. This pressure member is substantially elli tical shaped or inthe shape of a capsule, with rounded ends, and is somewhat smaller indiameter than the socket 24, so that it has a limited rocking movementon its seat 26a. Each of the jaws 19 is also of particularly strongconstruction, and is thickened at 28 to provide a socket for receivingthe end ot' a conductor loop 38. In the outer face of each `aw, near itslower end, there is formed a cylindrical recess 29, terminating in aconical seat 30 adapted to register with the corresponding conical seat26a in the end of the screw 25.

From the construction thus far described, it will be noted that the jaws19 have a limited oscillatory movement, both laterally and in thedirection of movement of the blade 17, the movement in an upwarddirection being limited by the engagement of the side of the pressuremember 27 with the upper side of the socket 24, and when the jaws 19 aremoved downwardly, the pressure. members 27 are moved into alinement withthe screws 25 and with each other, so as to exert pressure from oppositesides against the outer faces of the jaws.

Opposed offsets or shoulders 31 are formed on the sides of the bracket 8between anges 32, which form guides for the jaws 19. Extendingdownwardly between these shoulders is a cylindrical socket 33, withinwhich is located anv expansile coiled spring 34 supporting a head 135,which presses against the lower ends of the jaws. The strength of thesprin 34 is sufficient to hold the jaws 19 upwardfy in the positionshown in Figures 1 and 5, with their opposed faces diverging upwardly-when the switch 1s open, but the spring 34 is easily held compressed bythe pressure of the jaws against the blade 17 whenthe latter is closed.IThe jaws 19 have lips 36 extending downwardly from their sides toprevent lateral disalinement, and are also provided with inwardlyextending .shoulders 37 against which the blade 17 may engage as it ismoved downwardly between the jaws. If the contact isv tight, however,the -:friction of vthe blade in entering the jaws causes the same tograb the blade without the latter coming in coutact with the shoulders37. The jaws are electrically connected to the sections of the bracket 8and to the incoming line by suitable iexible conductors 38. The upperends of the aws are curved outwardly, as at 39, so as to receive andguide the blade 17 into alinement therewith.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that when the switch isopen the jaws 19 will be held upwardly by the spring 34 and head 35. Thepressure members 27 will be inclined upwardly and inwardly from theconical seat 26a, and the inner surfaces of the jaws 19 which are groundso as to form a smooth and uniform Contact with the blade 17 will beinclined upwardly and outwardly. As the blade 17 is thrown downwardly toclose the switch, it will move between the jaws, the friction of theblade in entering causing the jaws to approach each other and grab theblade, whereupon further downward movement of the blade will carry thejaws downwardly against the resistance of the spring 34, until the loweredges and the pressure 'members 27 are brought substantially intoalinement. If the jaws when raised are slightly out of parallelism, orit' the switch blade '17 is slightly bent, the

*curved faces 39 of the jaws will automatically bring the blade and jawsinto alinement.- As the jaws approach their lowermost position they grabthe blade 17 with tremendous force and form a complete and uniformcontacttherewith, capable of carrying a current ot' any capacity. Thepressure of the contact of the jaws against the blade is absolutelyindependent of the strength of any spring. This pressure may be variedat will. This oscillatory movement of the jaws is of comparativelylimited extent, and the pressure exerted by the members 27, which have arelative movement similar to that of a toggle is correspondingly great.The force of this pressure may be regulated by the adjustment of thescrews 25. By' the 'reapeated opening and closing of the switch, themeeting surfaces of the pressure member 27 and the seats 26a and 30 maybe ground to a perfect lit. Upon withdrawing the blade from between thejaws the latter separate thus releasing the blade easily.

Owing to the positive action of the pressure members 27 upon the jaws,the operation of the switch will not .be alected by heating, and sincethere is no spring action in the jaws themselves, they may be made ofheavy cast bronze, brass or copper capable of withstanding any pressurewithout injury. Owing to the oscillatory movement of the jaws which'permits'them to move with the blade 17, it is still possible to open`and close the lat-ter with a pressure many times as great as would b'e-possible if the jaws had a fixed support.

lVhile I have shown and described the specific construction of theinvention in its preferred form. it is to be understood that this ismerely illustrative, and that various changes may be made in the size,shape and relativev arrangement and construction of the various detailswithout departing from the salient features of the invention, whichinclude, primarily, a pair of jaws for receiving the switch blade, whichjaws have an oscillatory tangential movement with respect to the path ofmovement of the blade.

Vhat is claimed is:

1. A switch comprising a pair of spaced jaws with opposed plane faces,and a switch 'blade movable into contact with said plane faces to closethe switch, said jaws being movable in the same direction with the bladeas the latter approaches its closed position.

2. A switch comprising a pair of spaced jaws with opposed plane faces, ablade movable into'contact with said plane faces of the jaws for closingthe switch, means for holding the jaws with their faces outwardlydivergent when the blade is open, said jaws having a limited movement inthe same direction as the blade when the latter moves into positionbetween them. j

A switch comprising a pair of spaced jaws with opposed plane faces, aswitch blade movable into contact with said faces to close the switch,and means for mount-- ing the jaws whereby on pressing the' bladebetween the jaws, the jaws approach eac-h other, thereby exerting aheavy pressure on the blade, and on withdrawing the bladefrom betweenthe -jaws the latter separate thus releasing the blade.

4. A switch comprising a pair of jaws with opposed flat faces and flaredends, and a switch blade movable between said flared ends into contactwith the flat faces, said jaws having a limited lateral oscillatorymovement, whereby they automatically aline with said blade.

5. A switch comprising a pair of jaws with opposed flat faces, and aswitch blade lnovable into contact with the rHat faces to close theswitch, said jaws being so supported that they have a limited freeoscillatory lnovement laterally and horizontally.

6. A switch comprising a pair of spaced jaws with opposed plane faces,a. switch blade movable into contact with said facesv to close theswitch, and means for mounting the jaws whereby they are caused to movedownwardly to a limited extent upon the movement of the blade. Y

7. A switch comprising a support, 'a pair of movably ymoufnted jaws withopposed plane faces, a switch blade movablelinto contact with theplanefaces to close the switch, and pressure members connected with the jawsto impart a toggle action thereto upon movement of the blade betweensaid support so as to have a limited universal rocking movement, and apair of jaws loosely mounted on the inner ends of said pressure membersand universally movable therewith, said jaws having fiat opposed faces.

10. A switch comprising a support, pressure members mounted in saidsupport so as to have a limited vertical rocking movement, a pair ofjaws loosely ymounted Aon said pressure members, and a spring held seatengaging the bottom of the jaws.

11. A switch comprising a support having spaced arms, pressure membersextending inwardly from the arms and having a limited universal rockingmovement, a pair 'of jaws loosely mounted on the inner ends of saidpressure members and having flat opposed faces, and a spring held seatengaging the bottom of the jaws.

. 12. A switch comprising a support, opposed pressure members seated insaid support, said pressure members'having a limited rocking movement,a. pair of jaws loosely supported on said pressure members, and meansfor adjusting said pressure members inwardly.

13. A switch comprising a support. inwardly adjustable opposed seatsmounted in said support, pressure members extending inwardly from saidseats and having a limited rocking movement thereon, and a pairof jawsloosely mounted on the inner ends of said pressure members.

j 14. A switch comprising a support having a pair of spaced arms, a pairof pressure members extending inwardly from the arms and having alimited rocking movment, means for adjusting said pressure membersinwardly, a pair of jaws mounted for oscillation on the inner ends otsaid pressure members, and a spring held seat engaging the bottom of thejaws.

15. A switch comprising a bracket having a pair of spaced arms, a pairof pressure members extending inwardly from the arms and having alimited universal rocking movement, means for adjusting said pressuremembers inwardly, a pair of jaws loosely mounted for oscillation on theinner ends of said pressure members, and a spring held seat engaginghthe bottom of the jaws;

l iso l 16. A switch comprising a support havlng a pair of s aced armswith opposed alined sockets. t erein, opposed pressure members seated insaid sockets, each of said pressure members being rounded at the endsand having a circular cross section of less diameter than the socket soas to have a limited free rocking movement in the socket, and a pair ofopposed jaws having sockets in their outer faces receiving the innerends of the respective pressure members.

17. A switch comprising a bracket having a pair of spaced arms withopposed alined sockets therein, opposed pressure members pivotallyseated in the bottoms of `the sockets and each having a circular crosssection of less diameter than the sockets so as to have a limiteduniversal rocking movement therein, a pair of opposed jaws havingsockets in their outer faces receiving the innerends of the respectivepressure members, and means for limiting the downward movement of thejaws.

18. A switchv comprising a'bracket having a pair of spaced arms withopposed alined cylindrical sockets therein, a pair of opposed pressure'members disposed within said sockets, each of said pressure membershaving a circular cross section of less diameter than the socket, aninwardly adjustable seat in the bottom of each socket in which the outerend of the pressure member bears,

@and a pair of opposed jaws having sockets in their outer facesreceiving the inner ends of the respective pressure members.

19. A switchcomprising a support, pressure members mounted thereinhaving a. limited oscillatory movement, a pair of jaws loosely mountedon said pressure members, spaced flanges on said support forming guidesfor the lower ends of the jaws, a

.socket below the space between the flanges,

a head mounted in the socket, and a s ring for holding the head incontact wit the lower ends of the jaws.

20. A switch comprising a support, pressure members mounted therein andhaving a limited oscillatory movement, a pair of jaws loosely mounted onsaid pressure members, and lips extending downwardly from the jaws alongthe sides of the support to pre- .vent lateral disalinement of saidjaws.

bers, said support having a socket below the lower ends of the jaws, anda springactuated head mounted in said socket to press against the lowerends of the jaws.

23. A switch comprising a support, pressure members mounted therein andhaving a limited oscillatory movement, a pair of jaws loosely engagedwith said 'pressure members, and a switch blade movable into contactwith the jaws, said jaws having a toggle movement imparted thereto bysaid pressure members upon movement of the blade between the jaws.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixedmy signature.

ToMLINsoN FORT JoHNsoN, JR.

